Wednesday, February 24

Arab Labor, Episodes 1&2  9:45 a.m.
Israel, 2007, 60 minutes, Hebrew and Arabic with subtitles
This breakthrough TV sitcom comedy (written by Israeli-Arab journalist/novelist Sayed Kashua) centers on a young Arab couple, Amjad and Bushra, who live on the outskirts of Jerusalem with their two children. Amjad is a journalist who works for a Hebrew newspaper and desperately seeks to assimilate into the prevailing Jewish Israeli culture. Often compared with All in the Family, Arab Labor was a phenomenal hit in Israel.

CCJCC | $5
Co-sponsor: Temple Sinai.

Yes, Miss Commander  11:15 a.m.
Israel, 2009, 90 minutes, Hebrew with subtitles
For 100 days, the film crew of Yes, Miss Commander followed soldiers at a military base in the Galilee. But these soldiers are not ordinary recruits—they come from violent and criminal backgrounds. Their officers are young female soldiers who work with great patience to improve the men’s self image and teach them discipline and military skills. The viewer will be swept away by the intense events in this compelling documentary.

CCJCC | $5

For My Father  2:00 p.m.
Israel, 2008, 100 minutes, Hebrew and Arabic with subtitles
Tarek, a young Palestinian man blackmailed into a suicide mission in Tel Aviv, is given a second chance at life when his explosive vest fails to detonate. Forced to spend the weekend in Tel Aviv awaiting its repair, Tarek must live amongst the people he was planning to kill. To his surprise he connects with several Israelis on the outskirts of society, including Keren, who has cut off contact with her own family. An unlikely love blooms between these two isolated individuals. When the weekend ends, Tarek must make the decision of his life. Adult Content.

CineArts | $7

Unter Bauern  4:15 p.m.
Germany, 2008, 120 minutes, German with subtitles
Based on a true story, this emotionally piercing film tells of farmers who sheltered Jewish friends from the Nazis. It is 1943, and horse trader Menne Spiegel evades a round-up of the Jews in his hometown of Westphalia. Fearful his family will be deported to “the east,” he turns to a neighbor, Heinrich Aschoff, who offers to hide Menne’s wife and young daughter. Menne moves from farmer to farmer while both his “saviors” and his family live under constant threat of exposure from Gestapo officers and nosy neighbors.

CineArts | $10
Co-sponsor: Holocaust Center of Northern California.

Eli & Ben  7:30 p.m.
Israel, 2009, 90 minutes, Hebrew with subtitles
A successful architect and town planner, Ben (Lior Ashkenazi, the star of Walking on Water and Late Marriage) has all the trappings of a successful life—a good home, a happy marriage and Eli, an intelligent and mischievous 12 year-old son. But a few days after refusing to approve a planning permit for an ugly shopping centre, Ben is charged with corruption and accepting bribes. Eli’s life seems like a roller coaster ride as the news makes its way into his school and the media. Convinced of his father’s innocence, Eli is determined to see his father cleared. This bittersweet drama is for film lovers of all ages!

CineArts | $10
Co-sponsors: Congregation B’nai Shalom and Jewish Federation’s Young Leadership Division. Underwritten by Carole & Donald Chaiken and Susan & Moses Libitzky.

A Touch Away, Episodes 4–6  9:30 p.m.
Israel, 2007, 90 minutes, Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian with subtitles
Forbidden love blossoms in Bnei Brak in this popular Israeli TV miniseries. We follow a recent Russian immigrant who is paving the way for his family to join him. Unknowingly, he rents an apartment in an Orthodox section of town and falls in love with the daughter of his religious neighbor. Add a few more storylines and you have a marvelous multi-family drama that will keep you glued to the screen.

CineArts | $5

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